Music-leaf turner



NOV. 3, F. THEIL v MUSIC LEAF IiURNER Filed July '17, 1922 3 Shegts-Sheet 1 Witnkoo e- M-x.

Nov. F. THEIL MUSIC LEAF TURNER Filed July 17, 1922 3 Sh e ets-Sheet 2 ff 6/ 9 Y Qvih w as f iedz'zki' zezz Q-M k {9 33-1 W GUM/nap Nov. 3, 1925. 1,560,357

F. THEIL MUSIC LEAF TURNER Filed July 1'7, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

anon blot wuflm 1 4 W flederzai zezz 95 WWVCA Patented Nov. 3,

UNITED STATES FREDERICK THEIL, OF HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA.

MUSIC-LEAF TURNER.

Application filed July 17, 1922.

T all whom it away come/"a:

Be it known that I, FREDERlGK Tnnin, a citizen of Austria, residing at Homestead, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Musiolle. Turners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates roadly to music stands or racks, but has more particular reference to devices in this class of invention commonly known as music leaf tur ers.

The principal object is to generally improve upon devices of this class by providing one of extreme simplicity and durability which is practical, effective in opera tion and such in construction that it is capable of attachment to either the ledge of a piano used for supporting the sheet music, or to a conventional type of music supporting stand.

More specifically speaking, it is another aim to provide a. music leaf turner which embodies, an'iong other details, a plurality of springactuated arms having means for engaging the leaves of the music, together with novel hand or foot-operated means for positively releasing and permitting operation of the arms in succession.

A further object of the invention is to provide a music leaf turner embodying a unique holding device for the several sheets of music, together with novel collapsible supporting means for said holder, whereby to produce a structure which is capable of being arranged in compact form to permit it to be carried in a case of convenient size.

A still further object of the invention is to substitute for the usual rack of a conventional type of musiostand, a special rack which is capable of permitting the improved leaf turner to be detachably connected therewith, said special rack serving to back up the leaves as they are turned against it.

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional type of music stand equipped Serial No. 575,564.

with a special rack and music leaf turner constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation, on an ena 'ed scale, of the rack and turner showing the details of construction more clearly.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail elevation, with parts in section, showing the control means for the leaf turning arm.

Figures 5 and 6 are detail elevations of said control means looking at them from the rear to disclose the arrangement more clearly.

Figure is a horizontal section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Figures 8 and 9 are transverse vertical sections taken on the lines 88 and 99 respectively of Fig. 4.

Figure 10 is a horizontal detail taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. l.

Figure 11 is a detail section on the line 1111 of Fig. 9..

Figure 12 is a detail elevation on a smaller scale showing the device folded.

Figure 13 is a detail perspective view of the special rack.

Figure 14 is a similar view showing the rack folded.

Figure 15 is a detail perspective of the outer end of one of the turner arms showing the sheet-gripping means.

Figure 16 is a detail perspective of the upper end of the support for the holder.

Figure 17 is a detail perspective view of the novel holder which is used inv connection with the device.

Figure 18 is a detail view of the lower portion of the device showing it attached to the music supporting ledge of a piano.

Figure 19 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18.

Figure 20 is a detail perspective view of a clamp for connecting the device to the aforesaid ledge.

In the drawings, the reference character 1 designates a substantially channel-shaped member in which a plurality of superposed leaf turning arms 2 are pivotally mounted. Since it is unessential as to just exactly how these arms are connected with the member 1, I have simply shown them as being equipped with enlarged inner ends having extensions to which the coil springs 3 are connected at one end. The opposite ends of section the coil springs are anchored in any suitable way and it is obvious from the drawings that these springs normally tend to swing the arms in a direction from right to left. It may be conveniently mentioned here that these leaf turning arms are preferably constructed of telescopically connected sections to permit them to be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of music sheets. Attention may also be directed to the fact that the outer sections of the arms are equipped with vertically disposed spaced spring fingers t between which each leaf of music is placed and held by means of the pivoted retaining clip 5. (See Fig. 15.) As before intimated, unique control means is employed for the purpose of releasing the arms one at a time to turn the leaves of music in the foresaid manner. Although this means could be of some other construction, it preferably comprises a release finger 6 having an enlarged inner end 7 pivotally connected at 8 to a depending part 9 of the aforesaid channel member. By carefully examining Figs. 1 to 6, it will be seen that this enlarged inner end 7 is formed on its periphery with teeth 10, thus providing a ratchet with which the pivoted spring-pressed pawl 11, carried by the actuating member 12, co-acts. It is to be noted that the pawl is normally held out of engagement with the ratchet for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. This part" 12 is intended to be pressed by the operators finger, and it is clear that when it is moved toward the part 1. the pawl is brought into engagement with one of the teetlr on the ratchet member and the finger 6 is moved in a step-by-step manner downwardly to release the leaf turning arms in succession. Of course, as the finger is disengaged from each arm, the sprint: which co-acts with the latter serves to swing itover and to carry the sheet of music which is attached to it so as to permit the notes on theopposite side to be road. For the purpose of returning the actuator 12 to position for operating it again, a snru 13 is employed. It may be conveniently brought out here that when the device is supported on the music led 'e of a piano. it is desirable to operate it with the finger actuator 12. However, when it is used in connection with a music stand, it is preferable to operate it by a foot pedal P mounted on the tripod base B of the music stand S. It will be seen that by depressing the pedal P, the cord or flexible element C will be drawn downwardly and since this has connection with a supplemental actuating member 14, the release finger 6 will be actuated. It is desirable to have the member 14: act upon the ratchet through the medium of the main actuator 12 and this part 14 is there'- fore provided with a laterally directed project-ion 15 receivable in a notch 16 formed in one edge of the actuator 12. Both of the actuating members are mounted upon the same pivot employed to connect the release finger with the depending part 9. For the purpose of limiting the movement of the actuatin' members in one direction, the lower edge of the part 9 is directed rearwardly as indicated at 17 to provide a stop.

As before indicated, a novel music sheet holder is used in connection with this improved device and although this holding means could be of some other construction, I prefer to employ a holder of the type more clearly shown in Fig. 17. Reference being had to this figure, it will be seen that the holder is generally designated by the numeral 18 and in its preferred form, it is constructed from a single strip of resilient metal bent between at its ends at 19 to form spaced arms or members 20, the normal tendency of which is to separate to facilitate insertion of the music. For a purpose to be later described, the upper end of one of the arms is reduced as at 21 to provide a head 22, and this arm carries a pivoted retaining clip 23 which serves to maintain the arms together after the music is inserted between them. To prevent the arms from spreading apart and to insure tight engagement with the music, an adjustable split ring slide 24 is provided. Referring now to the lower end of the holder 18, it will be seen that at the bend, it is formed with an opening 25 which is designed to receive the pivot pintle 26 arranged on the intermediate portion of the aforesaid channel member 1. This serves to connect the lower end of the holder. with the part- 1. Special means however is employed to coact with the opposite end of the holder to maintain it in operative position. This means comprises, (see Fig. 2), a folding frame consisting of a pair of bars or strips 27 and 28, the first named of which is pivoted at its lower end as at 27 to the channel member, and the second named of which is pivotally connected at its upper end as at 28 to the corresponding end of the bar 27. The last named bar (see Fig. 16), has its upper end directed laterally forward as at 29 and formed with a notch 30 constituting a seat for the reduced neck 21 formed on the upper end of one of the arms of the aforesaid holder. A pivoted latch 31 serves to maintain this end of the holder in place. Referring again to the bar 28, it will be seen that the lower end thereof is notched as at 32 and this end is passed through a slot formed in the upper flange of the channel member and is engaged with the edge of this slot to connect this end of the bar thereto. It is obvious that with this con struction, by disengaging the latch 81, that is moving it to the position shown in Fig. 16, the holder 18 can be disconnected, the

backing up the sheets of music.

lower end of the bar28 c'a'nbe disengaged from the "part 1 and the two bars '27 and as folded upon one another to provide the compact article seen in Fig. 12. Hence, the device can be carried I in a comparatively small case. To guard against accidental disengagement of the notched end of the bar 28 from the channel in'en'iber 1, a suitable retaining latch 33 is provided.

In ractice, a special rack is used inconnection with the parts so far described for his special rack is generally referred to by the reference character 34 and in order to enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the exact construction thereof, attention is directed to Fig. 13. As seen in this figure, therack is preferably formed from a pair of spaced vertical strips 35 which have their lower ends bent upon themselves to provide hooks 36 for engaging a ledge This ledge is pivotally mounted at 37 between its ends upon a plate 38 and the horizontal fl'a'i'ige thereof is equipped intermediate its ends with a notch 39 to accommodate the aforesaid control. means for the leaf-turning arm. Attached to th rear side of the plate 38 is 'a bracket 40 of the design shown and it is obvious that this bracket is intended to be connected to the usual upper in'c'li'i'ied end of the standard or the aforesaid music stand. Also connected 'at their lower ends to the plate 38 are other bars 41 which are in turn pi'votally connected intermediate their ends to the intermediate portions 'offthe aforesaid bars 35. i1 toggle 42 is associated with the last named bars 41 to maintain them in the divergent relation shown. It is obvious that when thetoggle 42 is straightened, the bars 35 and '41 are swung to the approximate relative positions slio'wn to provide a relatively wide backingfor the sheets of music which are turned againstthem. I now wish to make it known that the aforesaid 'channel and parts associated therewith are designed for detachable mounting on this special rack and I therefore provide clips 43 to act in conjunction with the aforesaid hooks 36 for engaging the channel and bars 27 and 28 respectively as seen in Fig. 2. As shown better in Fig. 11, the free ends of the hooks 36 pass through openings 44 formed in the lower flange of the aforesaid channel member 1 to assist in connecting the parts together.

I do not wish to be restricted to any particular means for connecting the improved device to the music supporting ledge of a piano. However, in practice I have found it desirable to use a device such as is shown in Fig. 20. By directing attention to this figure, it will be seen that the device comprises a pair of U-shaped members 45 through the upper arms of which, set-screws 46 pass. On the lower ends of those set screws is a bar 47 which is wrapped with suitable material to prevent it from scarring the piano led ge L against which it bears. 'Connected with the bight portions of these parts 45 are upstanding clips or spaced fingers 48 and 49, the last named at which is designed to pass through openings 4-1- tormed in the lower flange of the channelsh'aped l'n'en'iber 1 as seen in Fig.19, and the other one of which is designed to engage this part 1 as seen.

The device assembled for use in the following manne'r, viz: Assuming that the bars 2 7 and 28 ot the holder support are arranged in the divergent vertical positions shown, and assuming that the holder has been connected with them and the sheet music clamped between the arms thereof, the channel member 1 is rested 'on the horizontal flange of the ledge 37 and the bars 27 and are rested against the divergent bars 41 ot' the special rack. Then, the clips 42), which pivoted, are swung ina manner to overlie these bars 27 and 28 and by passing the free ends of the hooks 36 upwardly through the openings 44 in the channel part 1, the two devices are connected together for use. The device is then ready for use on themusic stand. 'On the other hand, if the device is to be used on a piano, the special rack is removed and the clamping means is substituted and engaged with the music ledge as shown in Fig. 19 and the channel member 1 is in turn engaged with the lingers 4S and 9 thereof. Now, as the music on one page is read, either one of the actuators 1214 may be operated to engage the pawl 11 with the aforesaid ratcl iet 10 and the rclease finger (i is moved in a step-by-stcp manner do vnwardly and the uppermost of the leai turning arms is d sc'i god and swung from rigl'it to left and since the sheet of mu .ie is connected with this arm, the sheet is carried over to expose the notes on the opposite page thereof. It is of course understood that the normal positions of the leaf turning arms is on the right hand side of the music holder. However, when the device is in use and the pages are engaged with these arms, they are swung over to the left hand side when released one by one by manipulation of the releasing finger. If it is preferred to use the device more or less in connection with a piano, the supplemental actuating member 14 can be removed. It is only necessary to use this part when the device is used in connection with a music stand.

Special emphasis is to be laid on the particular construction of the escapement hereinbefore described because it is such as to permit the intermittent operation of the pawl for releasing the arms one by one, yet the pawl is normally held away from the ratchetby the pin 11. Hence, the release finger can be quickly reset without receiving interference from the pawl.

T he manner of assembling the device for use, manner of disassembling and folding it for carrying, and the details of construction have been made clear from the foregoing description. In view of this, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

Since probably the best, results may be obtained with the construction and arrangement herein shown and described, this is taken as the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, I wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the invention as claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a music leaf turner, a rack embodying a channelshaped member provided with a depending portion, a plurality of music turning arms pivotally mounted between the upper and lower flanges of said channel member, spring means for swinging said arms from one end of said member to the opposite end thereof, a release finger engaged with said arms, said finger having its inner end enlarged and formed with teeth to provide a ratchet, a hand-operated actuator carrying a spring-pressed pawl for cooperation with teeth of said ratchet, a pivot pin passing through said depending part, through said actuator and ratchet of the finger, and a supplemental actuator pivoted intermediate its ends on said pivot pin and engaging the first named actuator to move the latter when the supplemental actuator is operated.

2. a A music leaf turner comprising an arm supporting member, a plurality of music leaf turning arms pivotally mounted thereon, said arms being formed in telescopically engaged sections and having enlarged inner ends provided with extensions, coiled springs connected at one end directly with said extensions and at their opposite ends with said arm supporting member, means for holding said arms in an inoperative position, hand operated means for releasing said arms one at a time to permit them to be actuated by'said springs for turning the music leaves and supplemental means adapted to co-operate with said hand operated means for releasing said arms.

3. A music leaf turner, comprising an arm supporting member, aplurality of music leaf turning arms pivotally mounted on said supporting member, coiled springs connected with said arms and supporting member, a pivotally mounted arm releasing fin ger having an enlarged inner end, ratchet teeth formed on said enlarged inner end, a hand operated actuating member pivoted on the pintle of said releasing finger, a ratchet engaging pawl carried by Said actuating member, means for normally holding said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet and a foot operated supplemental actuating member engaged with said hand operated member whereby the same is operated to actuate said releasing arm and a spring to automatically restore said hand and supple mental actuating members to a normal or inoperative position.

a. A music leaf turner comprising a substa itially channel-shaped member, a pluality of adjustable leaf-turning arms pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of said member, spring means for'automatically operating said arms, a release finger extending across the longitudinal edges of said arms,said finger embodying a ratchet, an actuator pivotally mounted upon said member, said actuator being equipped with a pawl for co-action with said ratchet, a pair of folding strips pivotally connected together, one of said strips being pivoted to said channel member, the other strip having detachable connection therewith, a music holder having detachable connection with said channel-member and with said strips, and a raclr embodying retaining means with which said channel-member and strips-coact, said rack being collapsible.

In testimony-whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

7 FREDERICK THEIL. 

